Minna, Nigeria – A shocking mass kidnapping has occurred at a Catholic school in northwestern Nigeria, with armed assailants abducting 215 students and 12 teachers, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The incident, which took place on Friday in Niger State, marks the largest mass abduction of students since March 2024, when over 200 students were kidnapped in Kaduna State.
The attack underscores a worrying trend of escalating violence targeting schools in the region, prompting the government to previously order the closure of 47 educational institutions. Reverend Paulos Dauda Yohanna, Chairman of CAN in Niger State, confirmed the incident, stating he had visited the school. He noted that some students managed to escape during the abduction, but provided no further details.
Police and local government officials in Niger State have acknowledged the kidnapping at St. Mary’s Catholic School, but have yet to confirm the exact number of those abducted. Security forces have been deployed to the area and are currently combing the surrounding forests in an attempt to rescue the victims, according to police reports.
The Niger State government stated that the school had disregarded directives to close boarding schools following intelligence reports indicating a high risk of attacks. This incident will likely intensify scrutiny of security measures in the region.
The situation remains fluid as authorities work to secure the release of the kidnapped students and teachers. This latest attack highlights the ongoing security challenges facing Nigeria and the vulnerability of educational institutions in certain regions.
The incident follows other recent attacks, including the abduction of 25 female students from a boarding school in Kebbi State on Monday, and the kidnapping of 38 churchgoers in Kwara State on Tuesday, where the kidnappers are reportedly demanding a ransom of approximately $69,000 per victim.
The surge in attacks this week reportedly led Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to cancel planned trips to South Africa and Angola.
